Fisheries biologists are scientists who study fish and their habitats. Because fisheries biology is mostly focused on the behavior of fish in their natural surroundings, scientists who work in this profession spend a lot of time outside. This career is a good choice for anyone who is interested in biology and likes to spend time in wilderness areas.

The Job

Fisheries biologists collect data on fish. They track how many fish are believed to be in a particular body of water at any given time, how many of them are breeding and at what times, and whether fish stocks have been impacted by environmental factors. They also study migrations and other fish activity. Some fisheries biologists focus on just one species of fish or on a single river or lake. Fisheries biologists also collect samples of the fish they are studying and take them back to a lab for analysis.

Career Path

According to the fisheries biology program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, students interested in this career should take extra classes in math and science in high school and should major in fisheries or biology in college. On summer break, students should intern or volunteer to gain relevant experience. Some fisheries biology programs provide opportunities to combine work and academic study or to travel abroad as part of the degree program. Many fisheries biologist or wildlife biologist positions require only a bachelor's degree, but students hoping to work as fisheries biology researchers should earn a master's or PhD in the topic.

Employers

Many fisheries biologists work for government agencies such as the United States Fish and Wildlife Department, the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, state Fish and Game Departments and Native American governments. Some work for environmental advocacy organizations or non-profits. Other potential employers include fish hatcheries or corporate research facilities. Some fisheries biologists teach the subject for university biology departments or programs, although this usually requires an advanced degree such as a PhD.

Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists fisheries biologists in the zoologist and wildlife biologist category. According to the BLS figures, zoologists and wildlife biologists earned a median income of $57,430 in 2010. Because so many fisheries biologists are employed by the government, the number of available jobs in this field depends on the funding for the agencies involved. The BLS expects the number of jobs for all zoologists and wildlife biologists to grow 7 percent from 2010 through 2020, which is about half the projected growth rate for all occupations. However, the BLS notes that future needs or funding increases could increase this figure.